Electronic apparatus

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a cell phone in which the operability of the character-input button such as dial buttons is improved. Two different phonetic or Latin letters are assigned to the first end- and second end-pressing points of character-input buttons which also function as dial buttons. A single pressing of the first end of the character-input key inputs the phonetic letter (e.g. A) assigned to the first end while a single pressing of the second end inputs the phonetic letter (e.g. B) assigned to the second end. These character-input keys are tilted in the longitudinal direction.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus with characterinput capability.

BACKGROUND TECHNOLOGY

The trend in cell phones is to have multiple functions, and morespecifically, cell phones of the type that can send messages and alsostore name and phone number to provide a telephone directory functionhave been launched in the market. To take advantage of these functions,it is necessary that characters can be input into the cell phone. FIG.12 is a top view showing the exterior of a cell phone of conventionaltechnology. A plurality of numeral keys 11 representing “1”˜“9”, “*”,“0”, “#”, and scroll keypad 13, and the like, are arranged on the cellphone.

The demand for reduction in size limits the number of operating keysthat can be arranged on the cell phone. To overcome this limitation, thekeys 11 are made to function as character-input keys as well whereinmultiple characters are assigned to each of the keys 11 for inputtingthe characters, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 13. Note that voicedsounds, p-consonants, double consonants, contracted sounds, a macron,and the like, which are not illustrated in the figure, are alsorepresented by one of the keys 11 such that an user can enter messagesin a kana-input mode [in which the two parts of the Japanese Kanasyllable characters, Hiragana and Katakana, are entered].

If an user intends to enter a character selected from those assigned tothe keys 11, he or she can enter a character by pressing a key 11 asmany times as required. For example, if the user presses the “2” on akey 11 only once in the data input mode, “

” expressed in Hiragana is input and “ka” in the form of Hiraganaappears on display 15. If the user presses the “2” twice, “z,901 ”expressed in Hiragana is input and “

” appears in the form of Hiragana on display 15. In the same manner, ifthe user presses the “2” three, four, or five times, “

”, “

”, or “

”, are input in Hiragana and “

”, “

”, or “

” appear in the form of Hiragana on display 15.

In the cell phone of conventional technology, any kana character orLatin letter [referred to below as “phonetic letter”] except numeralscan be entered by pressing a key 11 as many times as required. As aresult, a user must press a key 11 multiple times to enter a characterin many cases. For example, the user must press key 11 five times toenter “

”, “

”, “

”, which is a lengthy process. In addition, the user must go through thefrustrating experience because he or she will often press a key 11 wrongnumber of times or enters a wrong character until he or she is familiarwith the operation.

To overcome the previously described problems, a cell phone of the typein which multiple contacts are provided to each key of the keypad (orten key) and different characters are assigned to each of the contactssuch that different characters can be entered in accordance with thepressing point (e.g. FIG. 1 of Japanese unexamined patent applicationpublication (Kokai) No. 2000-165499) In this disclosure, a user canenter a character by pressing a single key.

In the keys or dial buttons disclosed in the above patent publication,in which different characters are entered in accordance with thepressing points, unintended characters may be entered if it is not easyto operate the keypad. This is particularly likely to happen with ahand-held electronic apparatus such as a cell phone having small keys.

The present invention carefully studied the problems and intends toprovide an electric device having character-input buttons such as dialbuttons with an improved operability.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The electronic apparatus of the present invention comprises: an inputmeans having character-input keys assigned to a matrix configurationwherein the character-input keys having different vertical andhorizontal widths; the longitudinal axes of the character-input keysbeing tilted in a top view; the character-input keys having first andsecond contacts to input different characters; the first and secondcontacts being provided on first and second ends of the character-inputkeys in the longitudinal direction; and a display means for displayingthe characters input by the character-input keys of the input means.

According to the present invention, contacts for inputting differentcharacters are assigned to the first and second ends of character-inputkeys in the longitudinal direction. For this reason, a character can beentered by pressing a single character-input key without increasing thenumber of character-input keys. In addition, the longitudinal axes ofthe character-input keys are tilted. Hence, the character-input buttonscan be enlarged in the same direction and the space required forpressing character-input keys can be ensured within the narrow spacethat is available for the key arrangement on the keypad.

In the electronic apparatus of the present invention, the longitudinalaxes of the character-input keys may be tilted from northeast tosouthwest. This configuration allows a right-handed user to move his orher thumb nearly horizontally to press the character-input keys with hisor her right hand, thereby improving the operability of the keys.

Also in the electronic apparatus of the present invention, thecharacters assigned to each of the ends of the character-input keys maybe phonetic letters. In this way, each phonetic letter can be entered bypressing a single character-input key. In other words, phonetic letterscan be entered in the same manner as they are entered into a computervia a keyboard. Many people are familiar with the keyboard operationrequired for inputting characters to a personal computer. Therefore,they do not need to learn how to enter characters for the electronicapparatus of the present invention.

The electronic apparatus of the present invention can have a Latinletter—Japanese [character] conversion means for converting the Japanesewords expressed by using phonetic letters, which are entered into theelectronic apparatus using the character-input keys, to the Japanesewords. The use of this conversion means allows a user to input Japanesewords using the Latin letters in the same manner as he or she inputscharacters to a personal computer using the same phonetic letters via akeyboard.

The electronic apparatus of the present invention may further comprisethird contacts that are capable of contacting the first contacts andsecond contacts provided on the first and second ends of thecharacter-input keys; and third characters which are different fromthose assigned to the first and second ends are assigned to the centerof the character-input keys wherein the first contact and second contacttouch the third contact, thereby inputting a third character assigned tothe center of the character-input key. According to this invention,pressing a single character-input key can enter multiple characters bytaking advantage of the designation of characters assigned to thecenter, first end, and second end of the character-input key.

In the electronic apparatus of the present invention, the charactersassigned to the center of the character input keys may be numerals. Inthis way, a user can enter a numeral without switching from the presentmode in which phonetic letters assigned to the first and the second endof the character-input key are entered. An efficient method of enteringcharacters is thus obtained.

The electronic apparatus of the present invention can be applied to anyhand-held electronic apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view illustrating the external appearance of the cellphone associated with Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating characters assigned to character-inputkeys of the cell phone associated with Embodiment 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of an example of thecharacter-input key configuration of the cell phone of Embodiment 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a dome switch beingpressed at the first end of the character-input key.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a dome switch beingpressed at the second end of the character-input key.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating an example of the procedure in whichcharacters are input using the cell phone associated with Embodiment 1of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardwareconfiguration that can realize the cell phone associated with Embodiment1.

FIG. 8 is a top view illustrating the external appearance of the cellphone associated with Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating characters assigned to character-inputkeys of the cell phone associated with Embodiment 2.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram illustrating thecharacter-input key of Embodiment 2 wherein the center of the key ispressed.

FIG. 11 is a top view illustrating the external appearance of a fixedphone associated with an alternate example of Embodiment 2 of thepresent invention.

FIG. 12 is a top view illustrating the external appearance of a cellphone of conventional technology in which characters can be input.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the characters assigned to the keys ofa cell phone of conventional technology.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1

The cell phone associated with Embodiment 1 of the present invention isdescribed herein with reference to the drawing. A user can enter any ofthe 26 phonetic letters by pressing a single character-input key in thecell phone of Embodiment 1 without significantly increasing the numberof keys. Therefore, the number of character-input keys that must bepressed to enter characters (an e-mail message or character data and thelike) into the cell phone of the present invention is substantially lessthan those used in a cell phone of conventional technology. Accordingly,the time required for entering all the necessary characters can bereduced. In the cell phone of Embodiment 1, Japanese words can beentered by using the Latin letters in the same manner that a user enterscharacters to a computer using a keyboard. Many people are familiar withthe keyboard operation required for inputting data to a personalcomputer. Therefore, they do not need to learn how to enter charactersfor this invention.

FIG. 1 is a top view illustrating the external appearance of the cellphone of Embodiment 1. The hand-held electronic apparatus of the presentinvention can be applied to a cell phone but also to a personalhand-held phone system (PHS) or a personal digital assistant (PDA).

The cell phone 1 is of the folding type constructed with a first and asecond rectangular parallelepiped casing 3, 5, connected with a hinge 7.The cell phone 1 is folded in such a manner that surface 31 of firstcasing 3 and surface 51 of second casing 5 face each other.

Display 33 is an example of a display means arranged on surface 31 offirst casing 3. The phone number entered into cell phone 1, or thecontents of a message sent or received thereof, or the like, will appearon display 33. An aperture 35 for a speaker is formed on the upper endof surface 31 of display 33. A speaker, through which another party'svoice or a received melody is heard, is embedded in first casing 3 suchthat the voice coming from a speaker propagates to the outside throughaperture 35 to be heard. An antenna capable of being pulled out is alsohoused in first casing 3, and tip portion 37 of the antenna is exposedto the outside through the upper end portion of first casing 3.

Twelve keys 55, an example of the input means, are arranged in a matrixof 3 columns×4 rows in region 53, which is approximately the lower halfof surface 51 of second casing 5 wherein “1”˜“9”, “*”, “0”, and “#” areeach assigned to a key 55 therein. The surface of each of the keys 55 isshaped in an elongated oval. These twelve keys 55 are arranged in region53 in such a manner that the long axes of the oval are tilted, morepreferably, the axes point from northeast to southwest as illustrated inFIG. 1.

Numerals “1”˜“9”, “*”,“0”, and “#” are each assigned to the center ofthe surface of a key 55. In addition, the Latin letters and the like tobe input are assigned to the surface of the first and second ends of thekeys in the longitudinal direction. More specifically, cell phone 1 hascharacter-input modes comprising the numeral-input mode, the Kana-inputmode in which Japanese words are entered [phonetically] using Latinletters (hereinafter referred to as the “alphabetic Kana-input mode”),and the English-input mode [in which English words are entered usingphonetic letters]. For use in these modes, a numeral or phonetic letterexcluding the symbol “#” is assigned to each of the character-input keys55 as shown in Table 2. Two different phonetic letters are assigned toeach key 55. Although the symbol “#” is not listed in the table, aspecial symbol is assigned to [*] to be utilized during the characterinput operation.

The above method of assigning two phonetic letters to every key 55 [,eleven in total,] cannot accommodate all 26 phonetic letters. In thealphabetic Kana-input mode, a user must press those keys 55 required toexpress Japanese vowels many times, and therefore, it would beconvenient if the consonant keys (keys 55 in this case) could bedifferentiated from the Japanese vowel keys. To achieve this objective,four keys used to express Japanese vowels are arranged in region 56,which is different from region 53, as an example of an input means,wherein “I”, “U”, “E”, and “O” are included in the four keys 57 of theJapanese vowel group but “A” is excluded therefrom.

In other words, [as illustrated in FIG. 1] in rectangular region 56 inthe center of surface 51 above region 53, four keys 57 are arranged atthe four comers of region 56. Each key 57 is labeled and assigned torepresent “I”, “U”, “E”, or “O” such that “I”, “U”, “E”, or “O” can beentered in either the alphabetic Kana-input mode or the English-inputmode. In Embodiment 1, any phonetic letter A through Z may be assignedto keys 55 or 57.

The “A” key is not arranged in region 56 for reasons of the layoutdesign for the character-input keys and operating keys. The presentdesign may be changed in such a manner that five keys are arranged in aregion different from region 53 to accommodate “A”, “I”, “U”, “E”, and“O”. Alternatively, “A”, “I”, “U”, “E”, and “O” may be arranged, forexample, around the “5”, “8”, “4”, and “6” keys in the center of region53 because these vowels are very frequently used in entering a message.

A cross-shaped operating key 67 is arranged in region 56 and functionsas a scroll-key. A through-hole is formed in the middle of operating key67 through which another operating key 69 is provided such that itoperates as a function key.

Between regions 56 and 53 on surface 51 of second casing 5 are arrangedthree operating keys 61, 63, and 65 in a horizontal manner. In theEnglish-input mode, a user can switch from uppercase [mode] to lowercase[mode] or vice versa for phonetic letters that appear on display 33 bypressing operating key 61. In the alphabetic Kana-input mode, the usercan press operating key 61 to switch from Hiragana to Katakana or viceversa such that Hiragana or Katakana characters will appear on display33.

By pressing operating key 63, the user can switch from numeral mode toalphabetic Kana mode, and to English mode in that order. The operationof the operating key 65 does not relate to Embodiment 1, and thereforeis not described herein. Also, four operating keys 71 are arranged onsurface 51 for such operations as to “hang up”, “pick up” the phone,“read memory”, and to “retrieve the incoming or outgoing communicationhistory”.

Aperture 59 for a microphone is provided on the lower end of surface 51in region 53. The voice of the calling party is transmitted to themicrophone embedded inside second casing 5 through microphone aperture59 during conversation.

Now, in cell phone 1, two different phonetic letters are assigned toeach of the character-input keys 55 that also function as dialingbuttons wherein the two different phonetic letters correspond todifferent pressing positions on a single key 55. In this way, eventhough the demands for a reduction in size limit the number of characterkeys that can be arranged on a cell phone, a user can enter the phoneticletter assigned to the key [of his or her choice] by pressing a singlecharacter-input key 55. Character-input keys 55 have the followingconfiguration to provide this convenience.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram illustrating an example ofthe configuration of character-input key 55. Two dome switches 85, 87are arranged at a distance on printed circuit board 83 embedded insecond casing 5 [as illustrated in FIG. 1]. Dome switch 85 supports thefirst longitudinal end 55 a of a character-input key 55; dome switch 87supports second end 55 b thereof.

Dome switches 85, 87 have a rubber dome 89. A pair of fixed contacts 91is attached to printed circuit board 83. The bottom of rubber dome 89 isfixed onto printed circuit board 83 such that fixed contacts 91 arepositioned in the space defined by rubber dome 89. Movable contact 93 isattached to rubber dome 89 in such a manner that it faces fixed contacts91 at a given gap.

The operation of character-input keys 55 in the above configuration isdescribed herein with reference to the “1” key. First, the key operationin alphabetic Kana-input mode and English mode are described. If a userof cell phone 1 presses first end 55 a, to which “A” is assigned, rubberdome 89 is pushed and movable contact 93 touches fixed contacts 91 asillustrated in FIG. 4, thereby turning on dome switch 85. Then, “A”appears on display 33 as shown in FIG. 1. On the other hand, if a userpresses second end 55 b, to which “B” is assigned, dome switch 87 isturned on as illustrated in FIG. 5, and “B” appears on display 33. Notethat if a user presses the central portion of character input key 55;both dome switches 85 and 87 are turned on. However, any input isprohibited under this situation.

In contrast, in numeral-input mode, “1” appears on display 33 in any ofthe following situations: first end 55 a of character-input key 55 ispressed and dome switch 85 is turned on; or, second end 55 b thereof ispressed and dome switch 87 is turned on; or, the central portion thereofis pressed and both dome switches 85, 87 are turned on.

As described, the use of dual-contact switches or dome switches 85, 87,that are actuated upon pressing of character-input key 55, allows asingle character-input key 55 to input two different Latin letters thatare assigned to different pressing positions. As a result, according toEmbodiment 1, any Latin letter can be entered by pressing a singlecharacter-input key with a minimum increase in the number ofcharacter-input keys. Hence, the user can enter a Latin letter withoutcounting the number of times he or she must press the targetcharacter-input key to enter the desired phonetic letter.

The character-input keys 55 are also dialing buttons that allow dialingusing the character-input keys 55. Hence, the number of keys requiredfor messaging and dialing can be minimized, and the size of the cellphone can be reduced to meet the market demand.

Also, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the longitudinal axes of thecharacter-input keys 55 that are also dialing buttons are tilted inregion 53. This allows keys 55 to be elongated in the longitudinaldirection. In this way, even if region 53 is small, sufficient space canbe obtained to press keys 55 for inputting phonetic letters. Thisconfiguration ensures accurate input of intended characters despite anyinconveniences arising from the mechanism in which different positionsof the key will enter different characters. Hence, character-input keys55 provide an easy-to-operate characteristic.

A dome switch is used in Embodiment 1. However, a touch panel may beinstalled on the character-input keys. A touch panel can sense theposition on the key that is pressed; therefore, multiple Latin lettersthat correspond to different pressing positions on character-input key55 can be entered.

Next, the procedure for using the cell phone 1 to input “

” as expressed by the Chinese-derived characters called Kanji(hereinafter referred to as “Kanji”) will be explained with reference toFIGS. 1-6. FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating this operation. First, auser presses operating key 63 of cell phone 1 as many times as necessaryto enter the Kana mode (Step S1). Then, the user presses operating key61 to select the uppercase or lowercase mode for displaying the phoneticletters. Here, the mode is selected to display the phonetic letters inthe uppercase.

Next, of the first and second ends of the key marked “3”, press thefirst end marked “D” once (Step S3). “D” is thus input and appears ondisplay 33. If the lowercase mode is selected, “d” will appear ondisplay 33. Then, press the key 57 marked “E” once (Step S5). Thecharacter “E” is thus entered. The accumulated input “DE” is firstconverted to Hiragana by a program embedded in cell phone 1 forconverting words entered in the form of Latin letters into Japanesewords such that “

” appear in Hiragana on display 33. Once “

” and “

” are input in the same manner as “

”, the word “

” appears in the Hiragana on display 33 (Step S7).

Next, press operating key 69 which operates as a function key toactivate the Kanji character conversion program embedded in cell phone1. Then, press operating key 67, which functions as a scroll key; then,the candidates expressed as different Kanji characters appear on display33. When the Kanji characters to be converted appear on display 33,press operating key 69 to select the target Kanji (Step S9). Thus, “

” [which means “telephone” in English] expressed in kanji appears ondisplay 33 (Step S11).

Any voiced sound, semi-voiced consonant or p-sound, double consonant, ora macron can be entered in the same manner in which Kana characters [thetwo parts of Japanese Kana characters which are the phonetic expressionof the Japanese words] are entered by using Latin letters. If the userwants the Katakana characters to appear on the display, he or she canconvert the input Hiragana into Katakana by pressing operating key 61 asmany times as required.

An English message or English letters can be entered in the followingmanner: a user presses operating key 63 as many times as required toselect the English-input mode. Then, the user presses operating key 61to select either uppercase or lowercase [mode], and then, pressescharacter-input keys 55, 57 to enter a message in English or Englishletters in the same manner that the user would enter alphabetic Kanas.Alternatively, in the alphabetic Kana-input [mode], the target Englishletter or Latin letter may be entered, followed by the selection ofuppercase or lowercase mode by pressing operating key 61.

As described, any Japanese word can be input by a single pressing of theoperating keys constituting the Latin letters in Embodiment 1. That is,any Japanese word can be entered using phonetic letters in the samemanner that a user would enter Japanese words using a keyboard of apersonal computer. This operation, therefore, is similar to the keyboardoperation of any personal computer, and this familiar key operationprevents input errors, and shortens the time required for inputting andlearning the operation.

Character-input keys 55 are arranged such that the longitudinal axes ofthe keys thereof are tilted from northeast to southwest. Thisconfiguration allows a right handed user to move the thumb of his or herright hand in a nearly horizontal fashion to press the character-inputkeys. The operability of the keys is thus improved. To accommodate aleft handed user who uses this cell phone with his or her left hand, thelongitudinal axes of the character-input keys 55 may be tilted fromnorthwest to southeast.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration that canrealize cell phone 1 of Embodiment 1. CPU 101 computes the characterdata that is input thereto. Various programs used for inputtingcharacters are stored in Memory 103 wherein the programs include the onethat converts the alphabetic input into Japanese [Kana] characters andthe one that converts Hiragana into Kanji. The programs and CPU 101together constitute the Latin letter-Japanese conversion means. Memory103 can store names and phone numbers of the user's choice or thecontents of the message being sent or received. Communication Circuit105 is an electric circuit that executes communications for cell phone1. The CPU 101, Memory 103, and Communication Circuit 105 are mounted onthe printed circuit board inside first casing 3 or second casing 5 asillustrated in FIG. 1. Other elements of the hardware configuration ofcell phone 1 include character-input keys 55, 57, and similar keys, adisplay 33, a speaker 107, and a microphone 109, and the like.

Embodiment 2

The cell phone of Embodiment 2 is described herein focusing on theelements that are different from Embodiment 1. Those symbols that arefound in the figures depicting Embodiment 2 and refer to the samecomponents in the figures depicting Embodiment 1 are not describedherein. FIG. 8 is a top view illustrating the external appearance ofcell phone 1 a of Embodiment 2. Cell phone 1 a has character-input keys55 designating characters on the first end, second end, and center ofeach of the keys 55. In this way, the number of characters a user canenter by pressing a single character-input key 55 is increased. Thedetails of Embodiment 2 are described herein.

In Embodiment 2, operating keys 61, 63, 65 are arranged to be threecharacter-input keys 55 illustrated in FIG. 1. As a result, there are 15character-input keys 55 in total. For the alphabetic Kana-input mode orEnglish mode, two or three characters are assigned to each of thecharacter-input keys 55 as illustrated in FIG. 9. The common charactersare shared between the Latin letter mode and English mode. However, if“*” is entered in the alphabetic Kana-input mode, a Japanese period “

” or Japanese comma “

” are entered; in the English-input mode, an English period “.” orEnglish comma “,” are entered.

Characters are assigned to the first and second ends of each of thecharacter-input keys 55. In addition, the numerals “0”˜“9” are assignedto the center thereof. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the operation ofpressing the center of character-input key 55 causes movable contacts 93at first end 55 a and second end 55 b to touch fixed contacts 91 (thirdcontact example). Then, both dome switches 85, 87 are turned on, therebyinputting the character assigned to the center of character-input key55. Any kind of input is prohibited under this condition in Embodiment1.

Now, if a user presses the center of character-input keys 55 thatcorrespond to “F1”, “F2”, and “F3”, no character input will be allowedwhile these keys allow a user to perform the same operation as he or sheis allowed by pressing operating keys 61, 63, 65. If a user presses thecenter of character-input key 55 that corresponds to “*”, no characterinput will be allowed. In Embodiment 2, character-input key 57 of FIG. 1is eliminated by increasing the number of character-input keys 55.

According to Embodiment 2 previously described, the use of the centerpoint on the character-input key for numerals allows a user to input anynumeral without switching from the alphabetic Kana-input mode or theEnglish character-input mode that is currently in use to thenumeral-input mode. Hence, characters can be entered more efficiently.

The present invention may be applied not only to hand-held electricdevices but also to other electronic apparatus such as a fixed phone.This is described as an alternative to Embodiment 2. FIG. 11 is a topview illustrating the external appearance of a fixed phone of thealternative embodiment. Fixed phone 2 provides the same effect as cellphone 1 a.

As described above, the electronic apparatus of the present inventionallows a user to enter each of the phonetic letters by a single pressingoperation with a minimal increase in the number of character-input keys.With this single-pressing operation, the user does not need to count thenumber of times a key must be pressed when entering a character.

In addition, tilting of the character-input keys in the longitudinaldirection provides the large space required for arranging large-sizedcharacter-input keys along the longitudinal direction. Therefore, eventhough the area for the character-input keys is small, the space a userneeds for pressing the character-input keys is ensured. Even ifdifferent characters are input in accordance with the points of pressingon a character-input key, a user can enter the intended characteraccurately, and the operability of the character-input keys is improved.

1. An electronic apparatus comprising: an input means havingcharacter-input keys assigned to a matrix configuration wherein saidcharacter-input keys having different vertical and horizontal widths;the longitudinal axes of said character-input keys being tilted in a topview; said character-input keys having first and second contacts toinput different characters; said first and second contacts beingprovided on first and second ends of said character-input keys in thelongitudinal direction; and a display means for displaying thecharacters input by said character-input keys of said input means. 2.The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidcharacter-input keys are arranged in such a manner that the longitudinalaxes of said character-input keys is tilted from northeast to southwest.3. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claims 1 or 2 wherein saidcharacters assigned to each of said ends of said character-input keysare phonetic letters.
 4. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim3 having a Latin letter—Japanese character conversion means forconverting the words expressed by using phonetic letters, which areentered by said character-input keys, into Japanese words.
 5. Theelectronic apparatus as set forth in any one of claims 1-4 wherein saidelectronic apparatus comprises third contacts that are capable ofcontacting said first contacts and said second contacts provided on saidfirst and said second ends of said character-input keys; and thirdcharacters different from those assigned to said first and second endsare assigned to the center of said character-input keys wherein saidfirst contacts and said second contacts touch said third contacts,thereby inputting said third characters assigned to the center of saidcharacter-input keys.
 6. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim5 wherein said characters allocated to the center of said characterinput keys are numerals.
 7. The electronic apparatus as set forth in anyone of claims 1-6 wherein said electronic apparatus is of a hand-heldtype.